FREEPORT — Operating a snowmobile can be an exhilarating experience, but often one that’s fraught with peril.

In February alone, there were eight snowmobile crashes in Northwest Illinois, and the number of accidents is rising statewide. Conservation police and snowmobilers are urging the public to be careful if they take to the trails this week.

“Always drive with caution and always ride within a group,” said Cory Lingle of McConnell, a snowmobile enthusiast. “A lot of people take chances they shouldn’t take.”

Illinois Conservation Police have responded to 13 snowmobile crashes statewide so far this winter, compared to 11 last season.

Two of this season’s crashes occurred in Stephenson County and one was a fatality. Chad Cahoon, 41, of Orangeville was killed Dec. 23 when his snowmobile struck a tree near Orangeville.

The other local crash took place Feb. 3. A 9-year-old girl was operating a snowmobile in Rock City with her mother, Casey J. Cardoza, 38, of Dakota, as a passenger. The child lost control of the vehicle and it struck a building. The child was not hurt but Cardoza suffered multiple injuries.

“Number one is to stay away from alcohol consumption prior to operating a snowmobile,” said Robert Frazier, acting Region 1 commander of the Illinois Conservation Police. “It seems like the majority of crashes (this season) have been alcohol related.”

Snowmobiling remains a popular past-time in Stephenson County. It’s not uncommon for 300 to 400 riders to be out on the Jane Addams Trail on a Saturday if the conditions are right, said snowmobiler David Stamm of Orangeville. Many of these riders are from outside the area.

“They come wherever the snow is,” Stamm said, adding that students should be allowed to ride their snowmobiles to school. “This is a multi-million dollar sport.”

For Lingle, the appeal of snowmobiling is to be out in nature.

“I enjoy motor sports. I enjoy being out and about,” Lingle said.

If you observe unsafe snowmobile practices, you should report them to the Conservation Police, who can be reached through your local Illinois State Police District.